Winter living allowance scam

Our Trading Standards team is aware of multiple instances of local residents receiving text messages claiming to be from the Home Office or the UK Government advising that with the reduction of the winter heating subsidy the householder can instead claim a "living allowance" which may be payable in instalments.

Recent variants of the texts have also stated that the local Council has approved the payments.

Trading Standards Manager Gary Foubister says with the recent increase in electricity costs and the onset of winter, scammers are actively trying to cash in on people looking for financial assistance which they may previously have legitimately received.

Gary says: "Never click on links in such messages as this can lead to malware being installed and do not disclose personal or financial information as the scammers will also try to use this information.

"Instead, report any concerns to trading.standards@orkney.gov.uk or contact the Orkney Scam Action Group through their Facebook page,"